Recently, Yu Ping’an had been troubled and confused, feeling like he’d lost direction.
Everyone else on the Student Express project felt the same way, spending their workdays coasting and slacking off with nothing to do.
Some people had proposed improvement plans for the Student Express project, but progress was slow because Yu Ping’an knew clearly that these ineffectual changes were useless.
It wasn’t that they had absolutely no effect, but they treated the symptoms rather than the disease. Even if they could slightly increase the software’s active users in the short term, from a long-term perspective, the Student Express app’s popularity would continue to decline, beyond salvation.
Yu Ping’an had recognized this problem long ago and reported it to Mr. Pei.
However, Mr. Pei’s response had struck him like a bolt from the blue.
Mr. Pei said: The Student Express project had completed its historical mission and could retire peacefully.
Nevertheless, funding for the Student Express project would continue, with no changes to anyone’s salary or benefits, and no signs of cutting the project or laying off staff.
Some people who didn’t understand the true situation might think this state was comfortable—slacking off everyday without working, how perfect!
However, the Student Express project employees didn’t feel that way.
Because their income was stable, they had no pressure in life.
Under these circumstances, anyone with a bit of ambition would want to find something to do, desperately seeking professional success.
All other departments in Tenda Group were advancing triumphantly and creating new achievements, while we spent all day slacking off and doing nothing?
It felt worse than being killed!
So, the entire Student Express project had been in a very anxious state.
But despite racking his brains for a long time, Yu Ping’an remained at a loss, as if he’d walked into a dead end.
“Ding.”
His phone on the desk received a message.
Yu Ping’an picked it up and was slightly surprised.
“Hmm? Haunted Lodge wants us to make an app?”
Yu Ping’an was surprised because his Student Express project had never had particularly close contact with other Tenda Group projects.
The Student Express project was more like a tool, only responsible for driving traffic and advertising for other projects. Situations where other departments actively sought cooperation were extremely rare.
Yu Ping’an carefully examined the requirements for this software, which weren’t complex.
The main function was to allow number queuing like the Shared Phone Booths, eliminating the need to physically stand in line, so visitors could browse nearby shopping areas instead.
But they couldn’t directly use the Shared Phone Booths app because Haunted Lodge had some other special requirements. For example, they needed to separately track queue numbers for the three projects, show crowd distribution on maps, and include simple project introductions and reviews.
This app would serve as an intelligent navigation page, guiding all visitors who wanted to come or had already arrived at Haunted Lodge, helping everyone get a better experience.
“In short, we need to create a new app from scratch.”
“Indeed, this is the mobile internet era—practically any project needs an app.”
“But the Student Express project has already been abandoned…”
Yu Ping’an couldn’t help but sigh while also feeling regretful.
“Wait a minute…”
“Logically, shouldn’t the mobile internet era be our time to shine? Why would Mr. Pei say Student Express needs to retire peacefully?”
“Could Mr. Pei be unaware of the mobile internet era’s trends?”
“That’s impossible! Various game departments are frantically developing mobile games, and Mr. Pei himself is making OTTO phones. This proves he clearly understands the mobile internet era’s trends!”
“Then… why would Mr. Pei’s words and actions be inconsistent?”
Yu Ping’an suddenly realized a contradictory issue: clearly, various Tenda departments had great demand for mobile apps, and Tenda Group’s strategic focus was shifting in this direction, so why was the Student Express app alone meant to “retire peacefully”?
“Mr. Pei couldn’t possibly make such contradictory statements; there must be internal consistency.”
“Could Mr. Pei’s ‘peaceful retirement’ have another meaning?”
Yu Ping’an tried hard to recall Mr. Pei’s original words, and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
“I understand now!”
“Mr. Pei said the Student Express project should retire peacefully, having completed its historical mission—that’s correct! Because the need satisfied by Student Express is a false need. It achieved peak popularity thanks to Mr. Pei’s god-tier operations, but such operations ultimately have limits, so this project truly can’t be saved.”
“In other words, the original concept of ‘Student Express’ indeed needs to retire peacefully.”
“But the Student Express project’s peaceful retirement should signal another new project’s phoenix-like rebirth!”
“If Mr. Pei truly wanted to abandon this project, he could simply cut it, but Mr. Pei has continuously provided funding, clearly having other arrangements for us! The Haunted Lodge matter is a perfect opportunity!”
“Similarly, Mr. Pei letting us rest well is definitely to help us better recuperate and gather strength for upcoming challenges!”
“So far, Tenda Group already has so many apps.”
“Shared Phone Booths, Tuoguan Fitness, Student Express, Slackin’ Delivery, Final Chinese Website, Haunted Lodge, TPDb website…”
“Most of these industries have left interfaces on the Student Express project or done promotions through it.”
“Moreover, some apps’ functions are too simple. For example, many people use the Shared Phone Booths app merely to scan codes and get numbers. They’re fighting separate battles, not forming a system.”
“Tenda users need to download several different apps to use these functions, which isn’t conducive to promotion.”
“If we could integrate all these scattered apps into the Student Express app, we could not only consolidate all these industries but also revive Student Express!”
“No, by then it shouldn’t be called Student Express anymore.”
“‘Student Express App’ will complete its historical mission and retire peacefully, while ‘Tenda Life App’ will be reborn from its ashes!”
Yu Ping’an grew increasingly excited. Clearly, this was all arranged by Mr. Pei for the Student Express project!
Otherwise, why would Haunted Lodge people approach them right after they’d rested for a while?
Everything made sense!
Mr. Pei hadn’t abandoned us; rather, he’d reserved a more important task for us, just waiting for us to discover it ourselves!
Our project can be saved!
Yu Ping’an immediately called the heads of Shared Phone Booths, Tuoguan Fitness, Slackin’ Delivery, and other departments to share his theory and actively took on the responsibility of integrating and updating these apps.
He believed the heads of these projects wouldn’t refuse.
Because most of these projects likely didn’t have much capacity to update their apps, giving their apps to the Student Express project would allow them to focus on handling their own department’s business.
In short, such resource optimization and integration were perfect!
……
……
July 17, Sunday.
Pei Qian took a bottle of champagne from his refrigerator at home, enjoying a small drink in the afternoon sunlight while reviewing his lessons.
From mid-July, Handing University had gradually entered exam week. Although most exams would be scheduled on weekdays, considering the management trainees’ academic priority, Pei Qian decided to cancel one Profit Guardian meeting.
So, yesterday’s meeting—on Saturday—was canceled, skipping directly to Saturday, August 13.
Pei Qian always believed that for these Profit Guardians, while work was important, academics were more important. If his affairs delayed everyone’s studies, Pei Qian would feel very guilty.
However, for some unknown reason, after canceling this Profit Guardian meeting, good news arrived one after another!
The first piece of good news was that Haunted Lodge’s visitor flow had indeed increased, but not significantly. It seemed Qiao Laoshi’s video hadn’t had much effect.
Of course, saying it had no effect was impossible. Qiao Laoshi was a content creator with over a million fans, and his video had been reposted by the official “BE QUIET” account, so it would have some traffic-guiding effect.
But this time, there was none of the spectacular reaction seen in previous “Masterpiece” episodes, with their immediate, dramatic impact on sales.
The second piece of good news was that to thank Qiao Laoshi for his video, Chen Kangtuo had specially granted him lifetime free experience privileges.
Reportedly, when Qiao Liang heard this news, his expression immediately collapsed—his smile looked no better than crying.
When Pei Qian heard this news, he almost laughed out loud.
Oh Qiao, oh Qiao, your day has come!
What is this called? This is called reaping what you sow!
He even wanted to give Chen Kangtuo a little gold star.
However, considering that Chen Kangtuo had somehow managed to keep the Haunted Lodge project—which should have been completely dead—in a half-dead state, creating many risks for Mr. Pei, he should receive a major demerit. So, balancing merits and demerits, neither rewards nor punishments.
The third piece of good news was that after being promoted, “Food Harmony” had indeed received a cold reception. The reviews were good, but sales were low, completely unable to gain traction.
The losses were even worse than the original Slackin’ Delivery business.
Probably by Monday, Rui Yuchen will come to report this matter.
As the saying goes, good news makes one’s spirits soar. With so many happy events, Pei Qian felt he must open champagne to celebrate.
Looking at the date, today was perfect for dining in the largest private room at Mingyun Private Kitchen.
Pei Qian suddenly thought he should invite Qiao Laoshi for a meal.
Not for any other reason, but just to see his frustrated expression!
Qiao Laoshi had confidently backstabbed him, and Pei Qian couldn’t dodge—he’d been stabbed squarely. But after reacting and wiping his back, there wasn’t much blood!
Instead, Qiao Laoshi’s home had been robbed, with his back stabbed full of holes by Chen Kangtuo.
This was truly delightful!
The more Pei Qian thought about it, the happier he became. He immediately called Qiao Liang to arrange a meal at Mingyun Private Kitchen.
Courtesy demands reciprocity. Previously, you always arranged things for me; today, I must arrange something in return—kick you while you’re down and rub salt in your wounds!